Kirstie Bavington…rolled the dice in Texas and came up short
KIRSTIE Bavington, the history making Black Country welter, has vowed to “go again” after being shot down in Texas.
I’d prefer the Pensnett 34-year-old to think carefully about the future before again stepping through the ropes.
On Sunday, on a major Most Valuable Promotions’ world title card in Arlington, Bavington was halted in four by Siberian powerhouse Albina Moldazhanova, the ref stepping in at 44 seconds of the session to register Kirstie’s only stoppage loss.
It was always going to be a very tough ask for Bavington: she took the bout at three weeks notice, Moldazhanova has now won six, all inside distance, three of them inside the opening round.
The 25-year-old, a split decision loser in last year’s women’s world amateur championships, is a little rough round the edges, but, boy, does she carry power. Albina’s a beast from the east.
On social media, Bavington contested the ending, saying: “Didn’t get the win tonight, unfortunately. Took some heavy shots, but definitely didn’t deserve the stoppage.”
I disagree with the assessment. She was dropped heavily near the ropes by a left hook, bravely got to her feet, but lurched on disobedient legs. A follow-up by Moldazhanova would’ve only ended matters more conclusively.
While it lasted, Bavington had some success with jabs, showed courag to trade in the second, but was being nailed by those heavy left hands.
In the third, the Russian picked up the pace forcing Bavington to clinch, the fourth brought matters to an end.
That performance earned Moldazhanova a contract with MVP, the dominant global force in women’s boxing.
The promoters said: "Albina 'The Lion' Moldazhanova is a special talent with the kind of explosive power that can change a fight in an instant. She's come a long way from a small town in Siberia to the international stage, and her journey is just getting started.
“Six fights, six knockouts speaks for itself, but what makes Albina especially exciting is the contrast between her infectious personality outside the ring and the relentless aggression she brings inside it.”
Jon Pegg, one of the leading lights at Coleshill’s Eastside gym where Kirsty trains, said: “The girl (Moldazhanova) was too big, she was good, she was on her own territory – it was always going to be a really hard fight. She was also probably a stone heavier on the night.”
Bavington can take some consolation from the fact she entered The Lion’s den and took Moldazhanova further than any other opponent.
I am, however, mindful of Bavington’s legacy as a torchbearer for the women’s game. I’d like to see that preserved rather than tarnished.
She has done amazing things in a 19 bout career (seven losses): two time European champ, a loser in boxing’s first female British title fight, engagements on major arena shows…
She has performed at an elite level and still wants to mix it with the very best. Before last weekend’s loss, however, she was outpointed by Scunthorpe prospect Gemma Richardson, taking part in her fifth fight.
Bavington faces a hard road to get back to where she wants to be – at the very top. That’s what she needs to reflect on.